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Merlin and Dubset strike a deal to help indie artists monetize DJ mixes
Last August, Sony Music made a deal with Dubset, a company that helps rights holders identify samples in songs to ensure they get paid. Apple and Spotify also connected with the licensing company for the streaming services' unofficial mixes, too. Now, indie label Merlin has struck a new deal with Dubset that will hopefully help independent musicians monetize their own samples.
8tracks indie music library is a hipster's dream
If your musical tastes are too obscure for Spotify and Pandora, 8tracks' got you covered. The radio-style app averages eight million active members and about 30 million hours of streaming every month. Today, the company is rolling out a library feature that allows members (or DJs) to access 6.5 million tracks from independent music storehouses like INgrooves, CD Baby, Dim Mak and more. Over the last six years since its inception, 8tracks has become a discovery tool for the indie music loving community. Two-thirds of its streams are from independent labels and musicians. With the new partnerships, it strengthens that position and continues to support artists with exposure and royalties.
Google Music Artist Hub helps musicians promote, sell music (video)
Thought Google Music was just for artists signed to the big three or one of 23 indie labels? Turns out the company's extending a hand to unsigned artists as well with Google Music Artist Hub. The DIY-like software allows virtually anyone to sell and price their music on Mountain View's storefront. Musicians selling tunes through the service will keep 70 percent of their set list price, forfeiting the other 30 to the Android giant. Those taking the plunge will be privy to the same 90 second song previews as their label-backed brethren, as-well as the ability to have them shared for one free play on Google+. Ready to begin? Your ascent to superstardom awaits you beyond that source link.
PayPlay reopens as 'world's largest' MP3 store
In what seems to now be something of a trend, online music retailer PayPlay.fm is following in the footsteps of Amazon and -- to some extent -- Apple, by retooling its store to only include tracks encoded as DRM-free MP3s. And not just a few MP3s, either, but over 1.3 million individual songs priced at 88 cents apiece; though if you think you'll find your favorite boy band or gangsta rapper here, you're sorely mistaken, as even encryption-hatin' EMI isn't contributing any mainstream acts to this all-indie-fest. Still, if you're down with those obscure, struggling artists whom no one has ever heard of, the new PayPlay may be right up your alley. [Via BoingBoing]
